Former Sears at 1509 Washington St.(Marty Kittrell The Vicksburg Post)

[6/22/04]The former downtown Sears building could soon be under new ownership and the vacant upper floors converted to apartments.

The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen received one bid Monday from a developer wanting to buy and renovate the structure at 1509 Washington St. It was purchased by the city last year for $129,000 under downtown urban renewal.

The bid from Thad Pratt and River City Properties LLC offers to pay $40,000 for the property, but commits to make nearly $600,000 in improvements.

“If the plan is residential development, then I’m all for it,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens.

Under the state’s urban renewal law, the city can sell the property for less than the public’s purchase price if the new owner pledges improvements.

“The plan has to meet or exceed what we paid for the property,” said South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman.

Previously, the city sold the former Alamo Theater building at 1501 Washington St., for $1. The plan there with Nelson Cotton Property LLC calls for at least a $200,000 investment.

The city paid $68,900 for that property.

A third property in that block, the former Western Auto at 1517-19 Washington St., was sold for $5,000 in January. The city had paid $48,000 for the building, on which the developer, Buford Daryl Hollingsworth, committed to spend $100,000 in restoration.

City officials said they hope to vote on selling the former Sears building at their next meeting, Friday. Today, the first floor of the property is occupied by Super 10, a discount dry goods store.

Under the proposal to the city, the new owners would continue a lease with the retail store.

In other matters, the city board:

Approved the board meeting minutes from May 19.

Approved a $100 advertisement for the Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent Club.

Approved payment of $1,417 for the Vicksburg Tallulah Regional Airport.

Denied a request from the Delta Business Journal for advertising.

Approved payment of $82,508 for the city’s share of salaries for 14 dispatchers at 911.

Declared July 5 a holiday for city employees.

Adopted a resolution to lease property at the Vicksburg Municipal Airport to Ronnie Muirhead for farming.

Approved temporary closing of various streets at railroad crossings during the Miss Mississippi Pageant on Saturday.

Approved closing portions of Levee Street for the July 4 fireworks and music celebration.

Authorized the purchase of operating and procedure manuals for gas department personnel for $12,476.

Authorized the city clerk to advertise for bids for Riverfront Park maintenance and traffic paint.

Approved the claims docket.

The city board will meet again at 10 a.m. Friday at City Hall Annex.